Return to the Blue Lagoon

As the sun rises over the South Pacific Ocean in 1897, a lone dinghy drifts onto the horizon, bearing three passengers to the awaiting ship. The two adults, though lifeless, cradle a tiny infant between them - Richard, as it were, named after the only name he knows. As the crew takes charge, they hand over the helpless child to the care of Mrs. Sarah Hargrave, a widow already burdened with her young daughter Lilli. The ship's fate is sealed when cholera spreads among its crew; Sarah and the children are ultimately cast adrift, leaving the sea to claim their fate. Amidst this chaos, a sailor named Kearney attempts to eliminate the incessant wailing of the two-year-old Richard, but his brutal plan is foiled by Sarah's unwavering determination - she beats him senseless with a harpoon and sends his lifeless body into the waves.

The trio eventually washes up on the shores of a tropical island, where Sarah dedicates herself to raising Lilli and Richard as civilized human beings. Born and raised by young lovers on this very same isle, Richard's upbringing has instilled in him a sense of freedom and spontaneity, which Sarah seeks to temper with discipline and education from the Bible and her own knowledge. As they grow, she imparts cautionary tales about the forbidden side of the island, where secrets lie hidden.

Eight years pass, marked by the passing of Sarah from pneumonia, leaving Richard (now 10) and Lilli (8) orphaned once more. Buried on a windswept promontory overlooking the tidal reef area, her final act is to entrust them with their own survival instincts. And so, the children rely on their resourcefulness and the bounty of their remote paradise to navigate the challenges ahead.

Six years later, Richard (16) and Lilli (14) have grown into strong teenagers, living in a beachside house where they spend their days fishing, swimming, exploring the island's secrets, and testing the boundaries of their unique bond. A playful Easter egg hunt sparks a spirited competition, with Richard diving to retrieve an adult pearl as reward for his sister's triumph. His penchant for racing a lagoon shark, however, sets off a heated quarrel between them - Lilli thinks him reckless, but Richard's exuberance makes him feel vital and alive.

One fateful day, Lilli awakens to the onset of her first menstrual cycle, as Sarah had forewarned her. Meanwhile, Richard is struck by an inexplicable mood swing, his body awakened by an uninvited visitor - an erection that leaves him confused and frustrated. As the two teenagers navigate this unfamiliar terrain, their argument over privacy and Sarah's rules sparks a rift between them, leaving their bond tested by the turbulent tides of adolescence.

As the moon casts its silvery glow over the island, Richard ventures into the unknown, stumbling upon a hidden clearing where a group of natives from a distant land converge to perform a dark ritual. Their ancient idol stands tall, a grim testament to the brutal sacrifices that fuel their primal worship. A lone native spots Richard's intrusion, but he manages to conceal himself in the muddy terrain and escape unscathed.

As Richard and Lilli work to mend their earlier disagreement, they discover a deeper connection, their emotions intertwining like the tendrils of a vine. They exchange vows of love and commitment amidst the lush jungle foliage, their passion igniting a fire that burns bright for several months.

The tranquility is soon disrupted by the arrival of an unruly vessel, its crew comprised of rowdy sailors, a proud captain, and his spoiled daughter, Sylvia Hilliard. The island's inhabitants warmly welcome the group, with Richard and Lilli extending an invitation to take them back to the world beyond their island home. Sylvia attempts to seduce Richard, but as he is drawn to her charms, he realizes that Lilli has become the very essence of his being. His rejection of Sylvia sends him storming away, leaving her stranded in a fishpond, visible to all.

Meanwhile, Quinlan, one of the sailors, becomes fixated on Lilli's innocent beauty and drags her back to their makeshift abode. He seeks to claim her as his own, pilfering her precious pearl before Richard intervenes. Quinlan opens fire on his would-be rescuer, forcing Richard to flee for cover. Later, Richard lures the sailor to a watery grave, where the jaws of a hungry shark await.

Upon returning to Lilli's side, he apologizes profusely for causing her distress. It is then that she reveals her pregnancy, and in a poignant moment, shares her desire to raise their child away from the chaos of civilization and the dangers it brings. Richard agrees, and together they decide to build a life on the island, surrounded by the serenity they have grown to love. The departing ship leaves them to their blissful existence, and soon, Lilli gives birth to a baby girl, a new life born into the warm, tropical air.